Water Quantity & Quality

Monthly Archives: May 2013

From Rutgers: another genetically modified species effects on ecosystem. Reads:

A new study carried out by a team of researchers from Canada has revealed the link between the introduction of GM (genetically modified) fishes into the wild, and damages to the ecosystem.

GM salmons, in particular, when let out into the wild, tend to mate with the closely-related brown trout species, which then produce a hybrid fish. While the GM salmon grow faster than a normal salmon would, its hybrid offspring grows even faster, thereby out-competing the existing species for their food.

Twenty-four of 44 Georgian Bay municipalities weighed in for the casebook. They reported water levels are affecting 68 marinas and 76 other businesses, as well as 31 government facilities, including municipal water systems, coast guard stations and the MS Chi-Cheemaun ferry.
It is estimated cottagers will spend $500 million to extend and repair docks and water systems, and the negative impact on local economies is pegged between $50 million to $100 million.
“It’s great to have this long-term discussion, but we need to do something for 2013. We have our summer season upon us,” said Midland Mayor Gord McKay.
The mayors want a streamlining of the system required to get permits for dredging, blasting, dock repairs and other quick fixes, and they want $20 million – half each from the federal and provincial governments – to help cover the cost of the work.
Penetanguishene Mayor Gerry Marshall said municipal officials have met with both the NDP and Progressive Conservative caucuses, but have had less luck with the ruling Liberals.
“During the recent Liberal leadership campaign, I brought this issue directly to the attention of many of the leadership contenders, including Premier Kathleen Wynne herself and (Finance) Minister Charles Sousa and Minister of Infrastructure Glen Murray,” he said.
It’s imperative that Wynne spearheads an economic relief program, said Marshall, adding the premier then needs to engage with Prime Minister Stephen Harper and U.S. President Barack Obama to find a solution.
“The leaders have to lead on this issue,” he said, estimating up to 700 jobs are at stake across the region.
“If we closed a factory that was losing 700 jobs, politicians would be lined up for photos handing out cheques, but, because the jobs are spread across the Georgian Bay shoreline, they are being ignored,” the mayor said.
Simcoe-Grey MPP Jim Wilson said he agrees the province must come up with funds for this “emergency.”
“The provincial government is going to have to step up to the plate or we’re going to have a miserable economic condition all along the shoreline,” Wilson said. “We have immediate problems.”

Understanding of Macro economics is basic for global perspective. Excerpt from NY times:

Maybe nothing, but it makes me think that higher housing prices make consumers want to buy more houses (and that is wrong … unless consumers only want to buy houses when housing prices are on the rise, signaling this is a good investment). The article, however, says that this is a macroeconomic effect. Higher housing prices are raising consumer confidence which is increasing overall consumer spending.

I am reposting Doug Leier’s reporting on low water levels in North Dakota rivers and lakes. Devil’s Lake Basin will have above moisture and in process of becoming ice free. Levels in northeast will be up two feet for season. Posting:

“Even though Lake Sakakawea and Lake Oahe are approximately 10 feet lower than last year at this time, anglers shouldn’t have a problem finding public access points to launch a boat.

Bob Frohlich, North Dakota Game and Fish Department fisheries development supervisor, said most of the main recreation areas will have a usable boat ramp and provide ample boating access. “Some of the main concrete ramps are out of the water, so anglers will have to use low-water ramps in those areas,” Frohlich said. “While these low-water ramps will certainly be sufficient to get boaters on and off the water, anglers may notice that some may not be as wide or quite as nice as the primary ramps and may be located some distance from the other amenities in the area.”

Many low-water ramps were installed through cooperative efforts during the previous drought, Frohlich said, and are now becoming usable once again as the water level approaches those same elevations.

At Lake Sakakawea, where fisheries biologists expect a banner open-water fishing season, all but two of the 34 recreation sites will have a usable ramp. Only Littlefield Bay and West Totten Trail will be unusable.

All 12 boat ramps will be usable on the Missouri River stretch from Garrison Dam to MacLean Bottoms. “These ramps are usually more reliable as they are not dependent on a lake elevation,” Frohlich said. “The biggest problem with these river ramps is the 2 foot degradation in the river bed that occurred during the 2011 flood, so there’s now 2 feet less water on each ramp with the same exact releases from the dam as there was pre-flood.”

Seven of eight recreation areas will have operational ramps on Lake Oahe from Hazelton to the South Dakota state line. Only the Fort Yates ramp will be unusable. Although fishing may not be as good as last year on Lake Oahe, biologists expect anglers will have good success, albeit smaller fish.

Anglers in the northeast portion of the state are just starting to pull boats out of storage as Devils Lake and many other water bodies are just becoming ice-free. Frohlich said the Devils Lake Basin had above average moisture and is expected to be up 2 feet this summer. “All nine boat ramps are in exceptional shape and will be fully functional,” he added.”

A complete status report of Missouri River and Devils Lake boat ramps is on the Game and Fish website at gf.nd.gov.

Natalie Bennett told LondonLovesBusiness, “We need to stop regarding ourselves us as having the right to stick our oar in around the world.”

Bennett’s Green Party however, backs government interventions on issues that it claims are important, such as disputed climate models, a “living wage” and the nationalisation of public services. It’s 2010 manifesto claims that it wishes to increase foreign aid and “ensure that UK companies operating abroad adhere to environmental and human rights standards.”

Incredible views of tornado that blew 34 square miles of Moore OK Away….why everyone should have a basement.

In this image, taken at night after the tornado passed through Moore, moonlight is illuminating the tops of the storm clouds. Image Credit: William Straka III, University of Wisconsin, CIMSSData Credit: University of Wisconsin

These are important words to heed when play boating in cold water. Serious boaters wear wet suits in the water all year round. We never did growing up in the south with summer fun in the water, lakes, rivers, and oceans but now that I have been east, west, and north boating I see the foolishness of my ways. Even in Georgia in the spring the water temperature can be cold enough to induce hypothermia. Ever have your teeth chatter? That’s hyperthermia! Having to walk wet and cold as the sun goes down to retrieve your car after a run on the river can be enough to cause some unpleasant symptoms. If you don’t keep moving trouble is on the way. Do heed this warning from this excerpt about a group boating on Devils Lake recently:

“Even though the air temperatures are summer like, the water temps are still just crawling above freezing. When you fall into the water cold shock can be instant, cold incapacitation within 2 minutes and hypothermia is not far behind. What’s more, people are not well prepared. What happens if you fall in? Are you actually wearing your life jacket? Do you know how your body reacts to cold water immersion? How will you get to shore? Do you have warm clothes to change into? Do you even have access to a dry towel? As the old cliché’ goes, knowledge is the best piece of safety equipment you can have out there.”